Lincoln City vs Gateshead
10th December 2013
Sincil Bank
Lincoln City slumped to their fifth defeat in 10 games as they lost 1-0 at home to Gateshead.
A second half goal from Josh Walker was enough to separate the two teams as Gateshead secured their seventh win in 10 games.
Ben Tomlinson’s suspension saw Chris Sharp coming in as the lone striker for the imps while Todd Jordan came in to replace the injured Jon Nolan in midfield.
The first half started with Gateshead enjoying much of the possession. A mistake from Nat Brown in the ninth minute saw James Marwood gifted a chance just outside the 18 yard box, only for his effort to fizz over the crossbar.
The best chance of the half came 13 minutes in when a one two between Josh Walker and Lewis Sirrell enabled the striker to force a tremendous save from Lincolns Paul Farmam from six yards out.
Lincoln City skipper Alan Power was the first to receive a booking on the night for a mistimed challenge on Craig Foster in the 21st minute. The midfielder will now be suspended for Lincolns weekend FA Trophy fixture against Braintree.
Both teams continued to push forward towards the end of the first half; Marlon Jackson made a strong run from the back but his shot from 60 yards out was ambitious and sailed over the crossbar.
Lincoln created another chance 12 minutes from the break. Some great link up play between Sean Newton and Chris sharp allowed Jake Sheridan to run into the six yard box, only for the ball to be taken off his toes by Gateshead goalkeeper Adam Bartlett.
Jake Sheridan was lucky to escape a booking after a high leg to the ankle of Craig Baxter in the 40th minute.
Gateshead captain Ben Clark received a blow to the head in the 43rd minute and was unable to continue in the game, being substituted by striker Liam Hatch at the beginning of the second half.
The change saw Sirrell move into left back whilst Magnay dropped into centre back.
The visitors began to take control of the game, keeping possession well in the middle of the park.
It was John Oster who created the deciding goal in the 56th minute, making a driving run into the right side of the box before pulling it back for Josh Walker who placed it in the bottom right hand corner from just outside the box; his fifth goal of this campaign.
Lincoln enjoyed just one attempt on target as Sean Newton’s free kick sailed comfortably into the hands of Adam Bartlett midway through the second half.
Gateshead were dealt a blow in the 83rd minute after Marcus Madison received a second yellow and was dismissed for a raised arm on Nat Brown.
A stoppage time penalty appeal from Lincoln was brushed off by referee Amy Fearn as it appeared to ricochet of a Gateshead hand.
Lincoln’s man of the match Sean Newton stressed his disappointment at the result, stating how Gateshead’s ability to capitalise on their chances is what separated the two teams.
The win sees the Heeds move up two places to eighth in the table while the Imps stay in 16th place with just 26 points from a possible 63.
